• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.590-596
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• 2010

Meat and meat products are a potential source of food-borne pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Bacillus cereus. A sensitive and specific PCR assay for the detection of these pathogens in meat and meat products was developed in this study, as part of a broader effort to reduce the potential health hazards posed by these pathogens. Initially, PCR conditions were standardized with purified DNA. Under standard conditions, the detection level for PCR was as low as 10 pg of purified bacterial DNA. After overnight growth of bacteria in a broth medium, as few as $10^2$ CFU of bacteria were detected by PCR assay. The primers employed in the PCR assay were found to be highly specific for individual organisms, and evidenced no cross-reactivity with heterologous organisms. Additionally, the multiplex PCR assays also amplified some target genes from the four pathogens, and multiplex amplification was obtained from as little as 10 pg of DNA, thus illustrating the excellent specificity and high sensitivity of the assay. In conclusion, this PCR-based technique provides a sensitive and specific method for the detection of S. aureus, Salmonella spp., E. coli O157:H7, and B. cereus in meat and meat products.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.28-37
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• 2017

Obesity is a highly prevalent, chronic disorder that has been increasing in incidence in young patients. Both epigenetic and genetic aberrations may play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity. Therefore, in-depth epigenomic and genomic analyses will advance our understanding of the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying obesity and aid in the selection of potential biomarkers for obesity in youth. Here, we performed microarray-based DNA methylation and gene expression profiling of peripheral white blood cells obtained from six young, obese individuals and six healthy controls. We observed that the hierarchical clustering of DNA methylation, but not gene expression, clearly segregates the obese individuals from the controls, suggesting that the metabolic disturbance that occurs as a result of obesity at a young age may affect the DNA methylation of peripheral blood cells without accompanying transcriptional changes. To examine the genome-wide differences in the DNA methylation profiles of young obese and control individuals, we identified differentially methylated CpG sites and investigated their genomic and epigenomic contexts. The aberrant DNA methylation patterns in obese individuals can be summarized as relative gains and losses of DNA methylation in gene promoters and gene bodies, respectively. We also observed that the CpG islands of obese individuals are more susceptible to DNA methylation compared to controls. Our pilot study suggests that the genome-wide aberrant DNA methylation patterns of obese individuals may advance not only our understanding of the epigenomic pathogenesis but also early screening of obesity in youth.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.55-60
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use the theory of planned behavior, past habit and moral obligation to better understand the behavior of physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) in protecting the medical information of patients. Methods: We conducted a survey using self-writting questionnaires structured within the framework of the theory of planned behavior to understand to analyze information from 103 clinical PTs and OTs in their efforts to protect patient medical information. Results: The PTs and OTs' medical information protecting behavior was 2.85 mean points. That point failed to reach 1.0 points. Behavior intention was 3.83 mean points. That was judged to be improved. Behavioral intention was closely correlated with behavior, behavioral attitude, subjective norms, behavior control, and past habit. Variables related to the theory of planned behavior, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control all explained 50% of the behavioral intention of PTs and OTs regarding future divulgence of patient information. The past habits of PTs and OTs were also a significant predictor in explaining the behavioral intention to protect a patient's medical information (p<0.01). Conclusion: Revising the behavioral attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, and past habits of PTs and OTs helped improve their behavior regarding protection of the medical information of patents.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.40-43
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• 2012

Recent genomewide association studies of large samples have identified genes that are associated with blood pressure. The Global Blood Pressure Genetics (Global BPgen) and Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genome Epidemiology (CHARGE) consortiums identified 14 loci that govern blood pressure on a genomewide significance level, one of which is $CASZ1$ confirmed in both Europeans and Asians. $CASZ1$ is a zinc finger transcription factor that controls apoptosis and cell fate and suppresses neuroblastoma tumor growth by reprogramming gene expression, like a tumor suppressor. To validate the function of $CASZ1$ in blood pressure, we decreased $Casz1$ mRNA levels in mice by siRNA. $Casz1$ siRNA reduced mRNA levels by 59% in a mouse cell line. A polyethylenimine-mixed siRNA complex was injected into mouse tail veins, reducing $Casz1$ mRNA expression to 45% in the kidney. However, blood pressure in the treated mice was unaffected, despite a 55% reduction in $Casz1$ mRNA levels in the kidney on multiple siRNA injections daily. Even though $Casz1$ siRNA-treated mice did not experience any significant change in blood pressure, our study demonstrates the value of $in$ $vivo$ siRNA injection in analyzing the function of candidate genes identified by genomewide association studies.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.110-116
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• 2008

Blood pressure refers to the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, and chronical elevation of blood pressure is known as hypertension. Although hypertension is affected by genetic and environmental factors, the genetic background of hypertension is not fully understood. One of the candidate genetic factors, Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), is a membrane-bound enzyme, catalyzing the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin, and recently SNPs of PTGS2 gene was associated with hypertension in Japanese population. Therefore the association of PTGS2 polymorphisms was investigated with blood pressure in healthy Korean subjects, 470 unrelated individuals randomly selected from Ansung and Ansan cohorts. The 25 SNPs of PTGS2 gene were identified by the sequencing analysis of 24 Korean samples. Among identified polymorphisms, three SNPs (rs689466, -1329A>G; rs5275, +6365T>C; rs4648308, +8806G> A) were selected for further association analysis, and rs689466 located in promoter region was associated with blood pressure as well as triglyceride level in the blood. By in silico analysis, rs689466 locates in v-Myb transcription factor binding site, and the v-Myb site disappears when the SNP is changed from A to G nucleotide. Individuals with A/G and G/G genotype in rs689466 have higher blood pressure than those with A/A genotype, and the regression p-value is 0.008 for systolic and 0.004 for diastolic blood pressure. In summary, the PTGS2 polymorphism (rs689466) is associated with blood pressure in Asian populations based on this and Japanese studies, shedding light on it as a genetic risk marker of hypertension.

• 전자공학회논문지SC
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• 제42권5호
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• pp.27-34
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• 2005

심실세동은 심장의 무질서한 전기적 활동으로 인해 심근 수축이 동시에 이뤄지지 않게 되어 급성심장사에 이르게 하는 부정맥이다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 심실세동 검출을 위해 적은 양의 학습 데이터만으로 좋은 분류 성능을 보이는 SVM(Support Vector Machine) 분류기 기반의 심실세동 검출 알고리즘을 제안하였다. 심전도 신호로부터 SVM 분류기에 입력할 입력 특징을 추출하기 위하여 웨이브렛 변환기반의 대역통과 필터링, R점 검출, 입력 특징 추출구간 설정의 전처리 과정을 수행하였으며 입력 특징으로는 리듬 기반의 정보 및 웨이브렛 변환 계수를 선택하였다. SVM 다원분류기는 정상리듬(NSR) 분류기, 심실 세동과 유사한 심실빈맥(VT) 분류기, 심실세동(VF) 분류기 그리고 그 외 부정맥 분류기로 구성하였다. SVM 분류기의 파라미터 C값과 ${\alpha}$값은 실험을 통하여 최고 성능을 나타내는 C=10, ${\alpha}=1$을 선택하였다. SVM 다원 분류기를 통한 정상리듬, 심실빈맥 심실세동의 검출 평균값은 98.39%, 96.92%, 99.88%의 우수한 검출 성능을 나타냈다. 본 연구에서 제안된 동일 입력특징을 사용하여 SVM 분류기의 심실세동 검출 결과와 다층퍼셉트론 신경망 및 퍼지추론 방법에 의한 결과를 비교하였으며 SVM 분류기가 비슷하거나 우수한 결과를 보였다. 또한 기존 다른 알고리즘에 비하여도 우수한 결과를 보임으로써 제안된 입력 특징을 통한 SVM 분류기 기반의 심실세동 검출이 유용함을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.6041-6048
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• 2013

Background: Japanese women in their 40s or older have been encouraged to attend breast cancer screening. However, the breast cancer screening rate in Japan is not as high as in Europe and the United States. The aim of this study was to identify psychological and personal characteristics of women concerning their participation in breast cancer screening using the Health Belief Model (HBM). In addition, the attributes of screening more easily accepted by participants were analyzed by conjoint analysis. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study of 3,200 age 20-69 women, data were collected by an anonymous questionnaire. Questions were based on HBM and personal characteristics, and included attitudes on hypothetical screening attributes. Data of women aged 40-69 were analyzed by logistic regression and conjoint analysis to clarify the factors affecting their participation in breast cancer screening. Results: Among responses collected from 1,280 women of age 20-69, the replies of 993 women of age 40-69 were used in the analysis. Regarding the psychological characteristics based on HBM, the odds ratios were significantly higher in "importance of cancer screening" (95%CI: 1.21-2.47) and "benefits of cancer screening" (95%CI: 1.09-2.49), whereas the odds ratio was significantly lower in "barriers to participation before cancer screening" (95%CI: 0.27-0.51). Conjoint analysis revealed that the respondents, overall, preferred screening to be low cost and by female staff members. Furthermore, it was also clarified that attributes of screening dominant in decision-making were influenced by the employment status and the type of medical insurance of the women. Conclusions: In order to increase participation in breast cancer screening, it is necessary to disseminate accurate knowledge on cancer screening and to reduce barriers to participation. In addition, the attributes of screening more easily accepted were inexpensive, provided by female staff, executed in a hospital and finished in a short time.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.181-187
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• 2018

Objectives: To identify factors responsible for potentially clinically unnecessary cervical cancer screenings in women with prior hysterectomy. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). This study targeted adult women and examined whether they received a both a Papanicolaou (Pap) test and undergone a hysterectomy in the last three years. We conducted multivariate analyses, including weighted proportions and odds ratios (ORs), based on the modified BRFSS weighting method (raking). The inclusion criteria were adult women (>18 years old) who reported having received a Pap test within the last 3 years. Results: Of all women (n=252 391), 72 366 had received a Pap test, and 32 935 of those women (45%, or 12.5 million, weighted) had a prior hysterectomy. We found that age, race/ethnicity, marital status, family income, health status, time since last routine checkup, and health insurance coverage were all significant predictors. Black, non-Hispanic women were 2.23 times more likely to receive Pap testing after a hysterectomy than white women (OR, 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.99 to 2.50). Similarly, the odds for Hispanic women were 2.34 times higher (OR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.97 to 2.80). The odds were also higher for those who were married (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.27), healthier (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.35), and had health insurance (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.28 to 1.84), after controlling for confounders. Conclusions: We conclude that women may potentially receive Pap tests even if they are not at risk for cervical cancer, and may not be adequately informed about the need for screenings. We recommend strategies to disseminate recommendations and information to patients, their families, and care providers.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.121-129
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• 2011

Objective: The propose of this study is to build a conceptual framework for representing clinical findings in Traditional East Asian Medicine(TEAM). As the existing standard models have been developed without considering features of Traditional Medicine, in this study we introduced unique characteristics for the TEAM. Method: This study was composed of three steps. First, we analyzed whether the existing clinical information models are suitable for representing clinical findings. Second, we analyzed ISO/TS 22789 model which is a ISO medical informatics standard, to find out the problem by applying clinical findings of TEAM into the model. Finally, we defined semantic links and a concept hierarchy in our model based on the analyzed results. The model includes the concepts for clinical findings and terms, and the semantic links can be regarded as relations between concepts, so that the representating clinical findings are completed by connecting concepts with other concepts. Results: Our framework was developed by removing unnecessary semantic links, and adding some necessary ones based on ISO/TS 22789 model. The ISO/TS 22789 model has a simple concept hierarchy, but in this study we subdivided the hierarchy and also considered interoperability with other terminological systems and standard models. Conclusions: This research needs more discussions, but is meaningful as proposing a way how to develop Traditional Medicine terminological systems. This study shows the limitations of existing models in describing clinical findings for TEAM, and what should be considered to represent Traditional Medicine knowledge, and propose a solution to improve the problem.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.8-16
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• 2021

This article aims to introduce the inception and operation of the COVID-19 International Collaborative Research Project, the world's first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) open data project for research, along with its dataset and research method, and to discuss relevant considerations for collaborative research using nationwide real-world data (RWD). COVID-19 has spread across the world since early 2020, becoming a serious global health threat to life, safety, and social and economic activities. However, insufficient RWD from patients was available to help clinicians efficiently diagnose and treat patients with COVID-19, or to provide necessary information to the government for policy-making. Countries that saw a rapid surge of infections had to focus on leveraging medical professionals to treat patients, and the circumstances made it even more difficult to promptly use COVID-19 RWD. Against this backdrop, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) of Korea decided to open its COVID-19 RWD collected through Korea's universal health insurance program, under the title of the COVID-19 International Collaborative Research Project. The dataset, consisting of 476 508 claim statements from 234 427 patients (7590 confirmed cases) and 18 691 318 claim statements of the same patients for the previous 3 years, was established and hosted on HIRA's in-house server. Researchers who applied to participate in the project uploaded analysis code on the platform prepared by HIRA, and HIRA conducted the analysis and provided outcome values. As of November 2020, analyses have been completed for 129 research projects, which have been published or are in the process of being published in prestigious journals.